[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-90":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2337295,4570,"Chapter 90: Harvest","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>Tao Ji quickly refused, “Master Sun, my senior brother told me before he left—we won’t take the remaining hundred taels; we leave them to you, Master Sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled Tao Ji away and gently but firmly pushed the banknote back, whispering, “Master Sun, my senior brother means the child’s consultation fee of a hundred taels is not too little, and besides, we have a karmic connection with you, Master Sun. We’ve seen you off—this is our way of honoring that good fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Pan Yun mention her father, Sun Xianniang couldn’t hold back her tears and grew even more resolute, shoving the banknote straight into Pan Yun’s hands and insisting, “This money isn’t from the Zhou family—they have no say in this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, “It’s my mother’s money. We agreed that if the task succeeded, there’d be another hundred taels—and that’s exactly what it is. The Sun family never breaks its word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she said it like that, Pan Yun had no choice but to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she didn’t keep it—she immediately passed it to Tao Ji; she wouldn’t touch a single copper of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji took the money, glanced at the child sitting on the bed, and advised, “Tendons and bones take a hundred days to heal. For the next hundred days, keep the child as still as possible—but stillness doesn’t mean complete inactivity. After harvest ends, I’ll teach her how to move her feet. Once the wound scabs over, carry her outside every morning and evening to bask in the sun—it’s good for her body and her spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xianniang noted every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two senior and junior disciples then returned home, each carrying a large bamboo basket on their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These baskets were bought by Tao Ji from Master Zhou—they held the herbs they’d purchased and their luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they reached the mountain, Tao Ji reported to Wang Feiyin: “The Sun family settled the remaining hundred taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said I didn’t want it, but my junior sister pushed back a little and then accepted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin glared at him. “Are you stupid? If they insist on giving, why refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “Didn’t you say we should waive it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said waive it—but if they force it upon you, you should accept. Otherwise, the back-and-forth embarrasses them,” Wang Feiyin said. “We’re Daoists—we help others with their troubles. If they insist on paying, clearly this money is a burden to them. We should take on their burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun walked past, “Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin turned to her and praised, “Junior sister, you’re growing sharper. Just a few days down the mountain, your cultivation has advanced noticeably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Senior brother, could you give me fifty of those hundred taels?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin waved his hand generously. “Take it! Right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, no,” Pan Yun said, “Let Third Senior Brother keep it. I’ve ordered things for the temple’s construction—they’ve arrived at the mountain’s foot. I want to pick a good day and a good spot to build Master’s temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin: “You’ll need stones and labor costs—fifty taels won’t cover it all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “We’ll build it gradually. I’ll earn the money eventually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin noticed how much calmer Pan Yun had become since returning from her trip—her entire demeanor had changed. He glanced at Tao Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji stared back, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin turned away and waved at Pan Yun. “Go rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin turned to Tao Ji. “What’s going on with Junior Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji sighed. “After Senior Brother left, Junior Sister realized one truth and awakened. Yesterday, she realized another—and awakened again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin was deeply curious. “What did she realize?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji spread his hands. “I don’t know. She said, ‘The Dao isn’t watching—it’s just rules.’ That’s all—vague nonsense. How am I supposed to understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin murmured: “Not the Dao—it’s rules. Rules. The Dao’s rules. No, the Dao *is* rules. Rules *are* the Dao. It doesn’t change for humans. It treats all things equally. Heaven and Earth have no mercy—they regard all things as straw dogs…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s us—we think of goodness and impose it onto the Dao. That’s not the Dao. That’s humanity. That’s human will…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ambient spiritual energy stirred, swirling around Wang Feiyin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji stood open-mouthed, watching his senior brother enter another realm. He finally closed his mouth, resigned, and squatted on the steps to guard him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell. Miao He burst out from the back courtyard like a little cannonball, rushing to Tao Ji, mouth wide open to shout—until he clamped a hand over her mouth. “Speak softly. Can’t you see everything’s quiet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He instantly covered her mouth, glanced left and right, then whispered, “Master, Grand Senior Brother—dinner’s ready. We have meat tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course we have meat tonight—it’s what I bought!” Tao Ji said. “Go eat. Save us a portion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He stared curiously at Wang Feiyin, who stood motionless. “Master, what’s Grand Senior Brother doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother is awakening,” Tao Ji said, then turned to Miao He with a gentle smile. “Miao He, you’ve cultivated for years—any insights?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He tensed. “Yes. Which aspect do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any aspect. Tell me your recent insights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recent?” Miao He thought, then said, “Today I learned the Nine-Needle Revival Method from Grand Senior Brother. It’s easy to learn. We should speed up—tomorrow, let’s learn the Twelve-Needle Method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “On cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation? Sitting at night is more comfortable than sitting in the morning. Master, let’s move morning meditation to night. I want to sit for two hours at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you can sleep an extra hour in the morning, and pretend to meditate at night while actually sleeping?” Tao Ji tapped her head. “Go eat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh~” Miao He turned and ran off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji felt exhausted. But he was the master—he couldn’t even match Junior Sister. He shouldn’t burden his disciple. Miao He’s still a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He ran back to the back courtyard and sneezed twice in a row. Miao Zhen turned. “One more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Someone’s talking about her—not illness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai: “Who’d talk about Miao He? She’s sick. I’ll give you medicine later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He thought of the medicine’s scent, nodded eagerly, and added, “Add more licorice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun and Miao Zhen turned to Xuan Miao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao glared coldly at Tao Yanbai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai’s intention vanished instantly. He bowed his head. “Maybe Wang Xiaojing down the mountain misses you. If you were sick, you’d sneeze more than twice. Sit down and eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He was also afraid of Xuan Miao. She murmured “Oh” and sat quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen said, “We’ll ask Wang Xiaojing tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused mid-pick. “You’re going down the mountain tomorrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao Zhen: “Not just us—it’s *we*! Our temple’s rice is ripe. Time to harvest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah—she’d nearly forgotten. The Sanqing Temple did have private land—even if it was pitifully small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, everyone from the temple—from Wang Feiyin down to Pan Xiaohei—went down the mountain to harvest grain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin had cultivated well the night before. Today, he was full of energy, his steps light. He carried a large bamboo basket and took one stride—already far ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s cultivation had improved, and her bond with her master had deepened—her pace up the mountain was no longer slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai, Miao Zhen, and Miao He struggled. Even with lightness techniques, they couldn’t catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji saw the three children sweating as they chased, and found the three ahead annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began humming—a tune without words, only a flowing melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Yanbai and the others slowed, their hearts calming, no longer chasing the ones ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, far ahead, heard it and slowed too, walking gently to the melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tune ended, fleeting—only then did Pan Yun realize she’d reached the mountain’s foot with Miao Zhen and Miao He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin and Xuan Miao were only one step ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin turned and smiled at Tao Ji. “I told you Master loved Third Junior Brother. See? True.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji blushed, turned, and bowed deeply toward the valley, then complained, “Senior Brother, you walked too fast. There are still several little ones behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin: “I wanted Fourth and Fifth Junior Sisters to see the results of my cultivation last night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin turned to Pan Yun, smiling warmly. “Junior Sister, thanks to you, I had a small awakening last night. After harvest, let’s discuss the Dao properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanqing Mountain had three plots: two were paddy fields, planted with rice; one was dry land, planted with soybeans. Earlier, Wang Feiyin and the others had harvested the soybeans, dried them, and carried them up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun had successfully avoided this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this rice harvest—she couldn’t dodge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the mountains. Maybe because the temperature was lower, or maybe they’d planted late—the rice only ripened now, while everyone else’s harvest was nearly done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fields still held shallow water. Pan Yun saw it and asked, “Why wasn’t the water drained earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “We drained it already. Hurry and cut. This year, with you added, we need more grain. Senior Brother, I think we should plant winter wheat this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “The temple’s rice, flour, oil, and grain are bought…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We buy them only after we’ve run out,” Tao Ji said. “We never had enough. Now with you, it’s worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin: “I want to plant it too—I’m just afraid the soil won’t support it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun knew little about farming, so she stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji said, “Just add more fertilizer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin glanced at Pan Yun, Miao Zhen, and Miao He, then nodded with a smile. “Good. The Dao forms Heaven and Earth. Perhaps by tilling the land, you’ll awaken the Dao itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji seized the chance. “Senior Brother, let’s clear another plot for a medicinal herb garden. Many herbs grow well here—we can cultivate them ourselves instead of always foraging.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Feiyin stroked his beard and nodded. “Fine. Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He couldn’t help whispering to Pan Yun and the others, “My master loves planting things so much—I don’t get why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miao He,” Tao Ji turned, “come here. Start cutting from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miao He rolled up her pant legs and stepped forward silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1723,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","114e32081eb10c2e9b27209d6c2d59129d739eaf7b4fa24965e8d034583fc6a6","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-91","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-89",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]